Suggested Listening: Cleveland Rock-Block

by mabukach on April 13, 2012

Cleveland's patron saint, Michael Stanley.

I got a little nostalgic being in Cleveland this past week as I was driving around downtown. My ipod died, so I turned the dial to the closest station, 100.7 wmms. It had been awhile since listening to (any) radio; the speakers blasted some “metal” crap bomb tuned to drop d. It was terrible. Nothing like the old days of The Buzzard. It sounded like someone was slapping dead strings with a porterhouse steak. Perhaps it was just a bad song, but what followed next was THE musical abomination – Nickelback. The Dude Lebowski hates the Eagles just as I hate Nickelback. Their music is a cheese grater to my ears. I’m sure the guys in Nickelback are nice enough but, they. are. so. bad. (And Creed…).

I yelled at the DJ, switched to 98.5 WNCX, and was instantly pacified by the smokey croon of DJ, and Cleveland staple, Mr. Michael Stanley. I met Mr. Stanley while working at local pharmacy near his home when I was a squeaky teen; he’s one of the nicest, coolest guys you’ll ever meet, and a local guy – raised and stayed in Cleveland. Aside from being a tremendous musician, Mr. Stanley knows exactly what classic rock means to Cleveland – the mid-west- and has influenced my musical taste as much as the bands he plays on the radio. (Check out tour dates/news on the website http://www.michaelstanley.com/ )

Along with a classic tune from MSB, I’ve picked a couple of songs synonymous with Municipal Stadium, and a few Cleveland staples. I’ll be blasting this playlist on repeat on my way to NYC this weekend, hope you enjoy. – Mike

Clicked here after being drawn into your “Caffeinated Ambrosia” post via the Freshly Pressed page. Your playlist spurred me to listen to “Right Down the Line” on my iPod, immediately followed by “Baker Street.” Hadn’t heard them in forever. What great songs! Anyway, just figured I’d say thanks for the reminder …